Aston Villa's eagerly anticipated pre-season tour fixture in Tel Aviv has been abruptly cancelled amid growing security concerns in the Middle East, the Mirror can exclusively reveal.
The high-profile friendly against Israeli side Maccabi Ironi Kiryat, scheduled for later this month, has been pulled following urgent security assessments as regional tensions continue to escalate.
Safety First Approach Wins Out
Club insiders confirmed that Villa's hierarchy, led by manager Unai Emery and CEO Christian Purslow, made the difficult decision after extensive consultations with security experts and government officials. With player welfare the absolute priority, the risks were deemed too significant to proceed with the overseas fixture.
"When it comes to the safety of our players and staff, there can be no compromises," a Villa source revealed. "The current climate in the region made this the only sensible decision, however disappointing it might be for our Israeli supporters."
Alternative Plans Being Rushed Through
The cancellation leaves a significant gap in Villa's pre-season preparations, with the club now scrambling to arrange alternative fixtures. The Midlands outfit had been scheduled to face Maccabi Ironi Kiryat on July 23rd as part of their build-up to the new Premier League campaign.
Villa's backroom team are already exploring options for replacement matches, with several Championship clubs understood to have been approached about potential friendlies. The club remains committed to maintaining their rigorous preparation schedule ahead of what promises to be another demanding season.
Fans React to Cancellation News
Villa supporters have expressed mixed reactions to the news, with many praising the club's cautious approach while others lament the lost opportunity to see their team in action overseas.
One season ticket holder told us: "It's disappointing but absolutely the right call. Football comes second when safety's concerned."
The cancelled match represents another setback for international football fixtures in the region, following several high-profile cancellations and postponements in recent months due to the volatile security situation.
